39. True Disciples—

John 15:8 (NRSV) My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and 

become my disciples.

Bear much fruit—so shall you be My disciples …

AM begs every reader to consider these words seriously. We are not to be content with the thought of gradually doing a little more or better work. We are to take the words, much fruit, as the revelation of our Heavenly Vine of what we must be, of what we can be. We are to humbly accept fully the impossibility and the utter folly of attempting it in our own strength.

Let the words call us to look anew upon the Vine and the undertaking to live out its Heavenly fullness in us. Let the words awaken in us once again the faith and the confession: "I am a branch of the True Vine; I can bear much fruit to His Glory, and the Glory of the Father." Let us ask Him to reveal to us how He asks and claims a life wholly given up to Him, to be as full of His Holy Spirit as He can make us.

Let our desire be nothing less than perfect cleansing, unbroken abiding, closest communion, abundant fruitfulness—true branches of the True Vine.